Desperate Search for Missing Fisherman in Gulf of Carpentaria Ends in Heartbreak: Hopes Fade as Family Prepares for Tragic Outcome
- A 27-year-old Japanese fisherman went overboard from a prawn trawler in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Wednesday, sparking a massive search operation
- Despite a tremendous, coordinated response from land, sea, and air, the official search has been suspended, and hopes of finding the man alive have been dashed
- The fisherman’s family is preparing to travel to Cairns from Japan, as police prepare a report for the coroner, amidst a sombre mood in the tight-knit fishing community
Weipa, Queensland – The desperate search for a missing fisherman in the Gulf of Carpentaria has ended in heartbreak, as hopes of finding the 27-year-old Japanese national alive have faded. The man went overboard from a prawn trawler about 16 nautical miles south-west of Weipa at about 4:20am on Wednesday, sparking a massive search operation involving multiple helicopters, jets, and boats.
Despite a “tremendous, coordinated response from land, sea, and air”, as described by Andy Prendergast, general manager of Austral Fisheries, the official search has been suspended. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed that “time frames for survival [had] expired”, dashing the hopes of finding the man alive.
In a heartbreaking development, the fisherman’s family is preparing to travel to Cairns from Japan, as police prepare a report for the coroner. The family has been receiving support from the Cairns Japanese Consul, Shingo Higashimoto, who thanked search agencies and volunteers for their help. “Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” he said.
Local boats, including six from Austral Fisheries, are still searching for the missing fisherman, despite a strong wind warning. The search has been a “deeply tragic outcome for his family, his shipmates, and the broader industry”, according to Andy Prendergast.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit fishing community, with many expressing their condolences and support for the family. The police investigation into the incident is ongoing, with a report set to be prepared for the coroner.